Middle East Quartet

The Middle East Quartet, also called the Quartet on the Middle East, the Diplomatic Quartet and the Madrid Quartet, is the name given to the four bodies involved in mediating the peace process four the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict. The for parties involved are the United States, Russia, the European Union and the United Nations. The group was established in Madrid in 2002. The group was founded in response to rapidly escalating tensions and violence between Israel and Palestinian groups, threatening the collapse of the Palestinian National Authority. Tony Blair currently directs the group as special envoy.